Nebraska’s Must-See Mid-Week Matchups (Week 4)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mid-September is a critical stretch in the Nebraska high school volleyball season. Every contest matters--especially the marquee matchups we'll feature below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These mid-season battles are a brilliant venue to see how teams evolve as we inch closer to the postseason. Weekend tournaments are fantastic, but mid-week rivalry matchups have a little extra "juice" that's hard to describe. These are the results that swing momentum at pivotal times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, let's preview a few of Week 4's biggest battles before the weekend beckons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Millard West</strong> vs. <strong>Millard North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This should be a neighborly Tuesday affair in the Class A ranks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millard West has been climbing up the wildcard ladder lately after some recent breakout wins, including last week's triumph over Papillion-La Vista. Heralded veterans are leading the Wildcats this year, but we're also watching underclassmen like [player_tooltip player_id='349406' first='Stella' last='Neal'], [player_tooltip player_id='275897' first='Taya' last='Thaden'], and [player_tooltip player_id='395073' first='Chloe' last='Teter'] become major parts of the Millard West operation. It wouldn't be possible without them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the net, Millard North is a team that cannot be overlooked. In fact, the Mustangs took down Millard West in a two-set triumph on opening weekend as part of the Bellevue West Invitational. Junior attacker [player_tooltip player_id='395152' first='Adelle' last='Fry'] has compiled extraordinary numbers so far, and she's followed closely by the sophomore duo of [player_tooltip player_id='226172' first='Sydney' last='Rogokos'] and [player_tooltip player_id='276195' first='Makenzie' last='Wingett']. Junior libero and Lipscomb commit [player_tooltip player_id='155040' first='Kenzie' last='Kucks'] ties everything together on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Norris</strong> vs. <strong>Waverly</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Class B classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seems like there's always a bit of drama in store when Norris battles Waverly. The Vikings are hosting Tuesday's meeting, and it's bound to be a good one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The home team enters this showdown with a 7-4 record and a comfortable spot in the wildcard hierarchy. We got a glimpse of Waverly's high ceiling right away after a five-set gauntlet against Lincoln Lutheran on opening day. The stakes are higher with an intra-class foe coming to town, but the Vikings will be ready. Senior opposite [player_tooltip player_id='187686' first='Eden' last='Moore'] is leading the offense on the pin with Grace and [player_tooltip player_id='458064' first='Hallie' last='Lauenstein'] announcing their presence in the freshman class. [player_tooltip player_id='187798' first='Caylee' last='Rowley'] is one of Class B's most dynamic setters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":255193,"width":450,"height":300,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/52_Lexi-Hasselbalch-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-255193" style="width:450px;height:300px" width="450" height="300" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hasselbalch</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the setter spot is also a strength for Norris with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='458117' first='Malorie' last='Boesiger'] immediately taking the reins in her debut season. The freshman's emergence is no surprise to those who watched Boesiger's [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] team during the club season. Boesiger also has a wealth of worthy options to set in the frontcourt, including club teammates [player_tooltip player_id='155030' first='Anna' last='Jelinek'], [player_tooltip player_id='189321' first='Lexi' last='Hasselbalch'], and [player_tooltip player_id='189322' first='Kendall' last='Cose'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bennington</strong> vs. <strong>Platteview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frontrunners from Class B and Class C1 take center stage for this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not many teams have managed to keep up with Bennington this year, though the Badgers just suffered their first loss of the season against the aforementioned Millard West. Still, Bennington boasts a medley of ball control and firepower that few can match. Senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='109590' first='Olivia' last='Mauch'] remains one of the best defenders in the country, and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='458134' first='Millie' last='Mauch'] has joined the fray at setter alongside [player_tooltip player_id='179361' first='Madelyn' last='Uhlir']. [player_tooltip player_id='253919' first='Hayden' last='Liebsack'] is terminating at an incredible rate, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Platteview is the Class C1 representative in this matchup, and it's full speed ahead for the 9-2 Trojans. We've covered the balanced attacking trio of [player_tooltip player_id='122815' first='Lexi' last='Hans'], [player_tooltip player_id='189374' first='Abree' last='Plueger'], and [player_tooltip player_id='256646' first='Kate' last='Roseland'] in a recent feature. Now, this group has a chance to make a colossal statement against one of Nebraska's best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oakland-Craig</strong> vs. <strong>Wahoo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about another cross-class matchup? C1 and C2 collide as Wahoo faces Oakland-Craig.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class C2 has a big logjam of elite teams atop the wildcard standings, and Oakland-Craig is one of those. The Knights are 9-1 and show no signs of slowing down after the program's 2021 state championship. Perhaps that's due to the continuity of veterans like setter [player_tooltip player_id='173535' first='Adi' last='Rennerfeldt'] and outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='173516' first='Brandi' last='Helzer']. But the emergence of underclassman [player_tooltip player_id='464730' first='Briar' last='Ray'] on the pin is notable, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wahoo, meanwhile, is high on the C1 ladder after a 6-1 start. The steady hand of [player_tooltip player_id='173526' first='McKenna' last='Smith'] looms large for the Warriors, and [player_tooltip player_id='276210' first='Josie' last='Larson'] is one of the state's most productive sophomores. But this matchup also offers an interesting dynamic with junior pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='269932' first='Gretchen' last='Seagren'] facing off against her former team as a member of Wahoo. The reunion should produce some must-see volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cross County</strong> vs. <strong>High Plains Community</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's an under-the-radar matchup to keep on your radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cross County and High Plains Community are vying for vital positioning in Class C2 and D2, respectively. These duels can offer a vital barometer of how both sides are faring in the mid-season grind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars are flying high in pursuit of back-to-back postseason bids. We've mentioned the strong numbers for [player_tooltip player_id='104973' first='Lilly' last='Peterson'] from the outside, and she is accompanied by more stellar stats from [player_tooltip player_id='104974' first='Shyanne' last='Anderson'] and Bricelynn Larson. These efficiencies are aided by the presence of [player_tooltip player_id='219728' first='Sydney' last='Hengelfelt'], one of Nebraska's smoothest sophomore setters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensive balanced is also a storyline for High Plains Community. The Storm have received reliable contributions from [player_tooltip player_id='237537' first='Courtney' last='Carlstrom'], Rylee Ackerson, and Peyton Hofmann en route to a 5-2 record. This Thursday clash now becomes a crucial "swing match" as both squads hope to gain momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->